Chapter 931 Dogs Fighting Dogs
Song Qing was so frightened that she burst into tears, and then began to feign anger, "Your Majesty, I don't know what I've done to offend you so much. My leg injury hasn't healed yet, which is why I didn't attend Your Majesty's birthday banquet. I don't know what happened..."
She had a leg injury and hadn't left Jinghe Palace, as the Empress knew! She didn't dare say this aloud.
Xie Shang said coldly, "Bring the person up."
Soon, Granny Yun was brought before Song Qing. Granny Yun cried out, "Your Majesty, save me!" She had been held down shortly after leaving the ancestral hall.
Song Qing was instantly dumbfounded, pretending to know nothing, "What's wrong, Granny Yun? Did you do something wrong? Why are they tying you up? Has the Emperor misunderstood?"
Xie Shang was indeed angry tonight, angered by Xiao Shang. He said, "Since it's a matter of the inner palace, let the Empress investigate it!"
Jiang Fenghua paused. Song Qing was the Emperor's woman. Was he afraid that punishing Song Qing would create a rift between Peng Fei and Song Qing?
She had no intention of letting Song Qing get away with it again today; otherwise, she would have truly emboldened Song Qing.
Jiang Fenghua hadn't expected Song Qing to be so good at pretending. She had already given Song Qing a chance. When the concubines entered the palace, she had also given them instructions. If they all behaved themselves, she would let them live a good life in the palace. If they were too ambitious and caused any trouble, she would make an example of them.
At the same time, she wanted Xie Shang to learn a lesson from Song Qing. In his previous life, he had also taken many women into the palace. The harem could restrain the court. Although this method was useful and acceptable, if it was not used properly, it could also capsize the boat.
Song Qing is a perfect example.
Jiang Fenghua even wondered if his past life, with his extensive harem, had secured the Xie family's empire, but after his death, the Great Zhou Dynasty rapidly declined and perished. Wasn't their pattern another reason for the Great Zhou Dynasty's accelerated demise?
"Does Consort Shu not know about the shady dealings that Granny Yun and your mother did?" Jiang Fenghua asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I don't understand what you're saying. My mother has already left the palace. She's just an illiterate country woman. She came to the palace to wish His Majesty a happy birthday. She didn't have any bad intentions!" Song Qing cried softly.
"Since Consort Shu knows nothing, bring Madam Song here to confront Granny Yun. That way, you'll know everything." Jiang Fenghua added, "Aoxue, bring her up here!"
When Madam Song was brought before Song Qing, she was still crying and shouting that she was innocent, "I am truly innocent, please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly."
The room was filled with the clamor of women, giving Xie Shang a headache. He coldly swept his gaze toward Madam Song, "Taking advantage of Consort Shu's status to form cliques and engage in corrupt practices, your Song family is truly a bunch of rotten apples. You've really brought honor to General Peng!"
Song Qing bit her lip and refused to admit it. The words "forming cliques for personal gain" were something she couldn't bear. At most, she wanted to pave the way for the Song family and the Second Prince.
She quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I didn't! I really don't know anything!"
Jiang Fenghua said in a deep voice, "Since it wasn't Consort Shu who ordered it, then it must be Granny Yun who took it upon herself to collude with foreign enemies and attempt to investigate the secrets of the Great Zhou. The crime of this traitor is not as simple as the execution of nine generations of her family. I wonder if Granny Yun can bear such a crime."
Granny Yun was so frightened that she broke out in a cold sweat. She unconsciously looked in the direction of Consort Song. It didn't matter if she died, but her family members could not be implicated as traitors and bear the infamy for generations.
Jiang Fenghua held a porcelain bottle in her hand. "This was found on Granny Yun. Granny Yun followed me all day but couldn't find an opportunity to steal it, right? Who gave this to Granny Yun?"
Granny Yun was so frightened that she repeatedly begged for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, please spare me! I was just helping to pass on a message. I would never dare to harm Your Majesty, even if I were to die a thousand deaths! It was all the outsiders who were contacted by Consort Shu and the young master of the Song family..."
Song Qing said coldly, "What nonsense are you spouting, you old hag? How could I dare to plot against Her Majesty the Empress? I have never thought of harming the Empress."
She knelt down before Jiang Fenghua again, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, please don't listen to her nonsense. Even if I were to die, I would never dare to harm Your Majesty. I remember all the kindness Your Majesty has shown me. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I really didn't. I swear, my mother and brother were just a little greedy at most, and they would never pass on any information to the enemy."
Song Qing is completely disoriented now; she can't bear this accusation!
Jiang Fenghua and Xie Shang ignored her and just watched her go crazy.
She stood up again and limped over to Granny Yun. "Granny Yun, I've always treated you well, haven't I? And I've been kind to your family too, haven't I? Why are you so ungrateful and framing me?"
She stared coldly into Granny Yun's eyes, "Explain yourself where you got this bottle of medicine. I know nothing about it."
Granny Yun was also dumbfounded. Her lips moved as she thought to herself, "So the Empress already knew. No wonder she couldn't find Hua Rui when she went to look for her during the day."
Could it be that she hid the things in the ancestral hall right under the Empress's nose? It seems she can't escape this time. If she's going to die, she'll take Consort Song with her.
Before Granny Yun could speak, Consort Song continued, "Granny Yun stole items from the palace and sold them outside. Your Highness, if you interrogate her thoroughly, you will surely find out where she hid the money."
Xie Shang sneered, "Consort Shu, tell me, where did she put the money from that sale?"
Song Qing looked embarrassed. "Just search her room and you'll find out!"
Xie Shang propped his head up with one hand, his voice languid. "The Song family women are indeed stupid," he said. "Shangguan Li, take your men and search the area."
Dong'er quickly stepped forward, "This servant will lead the way for Commander Shangguan! Granny Yun's room is over there."
When Shangguan Li arrived at Granny Yun's room, he easily found a bag of silver on the bed. Dong'er chattered excitedly, "Even if Granny Yun stayed in the palace for another twenty years, her monthly allowance wouldn't be this much. Where did this silver come from...?"
Shangguan Li glared at her, then left with his men. Ever since Madam Song was captured, she must have been rushing back to Jinghe Palace to discuss countermeasures with Consort Shu. Who is she trying to impress by jumping out to put on this act now?
Dong'er also felt that this matter could not be kept secret at all, but Consort Shu insisted on leaving a bag of silver in Granny Yun's room, which made her feel embarrassed.
According to Dong'er, Consort Shu was harmed by the Song family. If they hadn't been like bloodsuckers constantly reaching out to Consort Shu, she wouldn't have colluded with those wealthy merchants to accept money.
Now, she's even accused of treason and collusion with the enemy. How can Consort Shu bear such a crime?
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